Takampalam
Sterculia hamiltonii

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. The bark is grey and warty. The leaves are arranged in spirals. They are simple and broadly oval. The flowers are cream to white. The fruit or seed pods are red and oval with 1-4 seeds. The seeds are black-brown and oval.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae. This is an unresolved name in The Plant List but is possibly a synonym of Sterculia coccinea Jack.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 300-1,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore

How it is used for food

The ripe seeds are eaten as a substitute for peanuts. They are tasty and oily. They are roasted. The tender fruit are boiled and eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

In Sikkim fruit are available May to July.

Its other names

Local names

Chiuripat, Chiwaripat, Kathior-kung, Nakchepeta, Ngama-inchhawl, Tayam

Synonyms

Clompanus hamiltonii Kuntze;